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IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Half Shell Seafood House

This week we went in the kitchen at Half Shell Seafood House with president and chef Dan Mirando as he prepares the signature oyster combo that includes oysters prepared in four different ways, oysters Bienville, oysters Orleans, oysters Rockefeller and char grilled oysters.

Mirando and his business partner, Bob Taylor, opened Half Shell Seafood House in Sarasota, modeled after Taylor's original oyster house that opened in 2009 in the Gulf Shores area of Mississippi.

Half Shell Seafood House is a New Orleans style oyster house that offers a menu of made from scratch dishes including fresh oysters and seafood along with other traditional items. The secret recipe seasonings and sauces are also all mixed fresh in-house.

The kitchen staff at Half Shell will shuck between 1,000 and 1,400 fresh gulf oysters daily.

Mirando established Half Shell Seafood House as a casual dining experience that strives to offer great food and great service at a reasonable and affordable price point.

Preparation:
Mix ingredients for topping to taste. Place shucked oysters in a baking pan and heat under a broiler for 1-2 minutes. Remove from broiler and spoon topping into oysters. Place oysters back under broiler until topping is browned. Serve immediately while hot.

Preparation:
Mix ingredients for topping to taste. Place shucked oysters in a baking pan and heat under a broiler for 1-2 minutes. Remove from broiler and spoon topping into oysters. Place oysters back under broiler until topping is browned. Serve immediately while hot.

Preparation:
Melt butter and mix in additional ingredients to taste. Place fresh shucked oysters on hot grill. Ladle butter mixture into the oysters while cooking. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese while oysters continue to cook. Continue to cook oysters on grill and sprinkle more parmesan over the top of each. Cook a couple more minutes until mixture starts to boil and bubble and parmesan cheese browns slightly. Remove from grill and serve immediately while hot.

Preparation:
Melt butter and mix in additional ingredients to taste. Place fresh shucked oysters on hot grill. Ladle butter mixture into the oysters while cooking. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese while oysters continue to cook. Continue to cook oysters on grill and sprinkle more parmesan over the top of each. Cook a couple more minutes until mixture starts to boil and bubble and parmesan cheese browns slightly. Remove from grill and serve immediately while hot.